Harry Pell believes becoming a dad will force him to grow up a bit.
AFC Wimbledon’s resident cheeky chap tweeted during his recent injury lay off he was to become a father for the first time next July.
The 22-year-old joked about having impeccable timing with baby Pell due on July 3, meaning paternity leave may coincide with the start of next pre-season.
But jokes aside, the 22-year-old believes the extra responsibility will be good for him.
He said: “I’m excited about becoming a dad. I’m very young but I’m looking forward to that very different stage of my life.
“It won’t change me as a footballer, but as a person maybe. It may force me to be a little bit more - what’s the word – mature and if I can bring that to the pitch then I’ll take that.
“Obviously it is a long way off yet so I’m fully concentrating on my football and what happens in the summer happens in the summer."
Injury now behind him, Pell made his first start for four weeks in Saturday’s 3-0 win at Wycombe, earning himself a place in The League Paper’s Division Two ‘Team of the Week’ in the process.
The midfielder admits the festive lay-off was hard to bear.
He added: “It has been horrible watching. You wake up on a Saturday and you want to be involved. I want to play every game.
“The injury is sorted so now I’m just itching to get some more points on the board for us.”
Pell’s return to the fold is a welcome relief to Dons manager Neal Ardley following the news that Peter Sweeney is facing up to eight weeks out with a broken foot.
Wimbledon entertain Torquay United at Kingsmeadow on Saturday.